Mr. Feelings

The other day I had several rubber bands wrapped around me while I was blindfolded. This may take a little bit of explaining. During one of our training sessions I volunteered for an exercise. I had no idea what was about to happen all I knew was I had to be able to endure a little bit of pain.
In our session we were talking about how our expectations and our desires when we get to the field can be in conflict, and how that will affect our feelings. Enter Mr. Feelings... I was blindfolded and several people were called up to hold on to one side of these large rubber bands. On different sides you have your expectations vs. reality, your desires, others expectations, and your attitude. All of these things can come in conflict and you may feel pulled in several directions. The pain part is when these "rubber bands" are pulled tight and something happens to cause pain or joy I got a little "pop". Part of the point is to allow yourself to feel both the good and bad, and not insulate yourself from your feelings.
We also need to learn how to handle these feelings, and try to keep our expectations close to reality. We are learning so much here at our training in Colorado and will continue to share more. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

SNOW!

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning...until I remembered that it could have snowed over night. I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. And to my enjoyment, saw everything covered in white. I now sit with a fire dancing in the fireplace to my right and the door with the snow outside to my left. I'm looking forward to going out and taking pictures, when the sun comes up. There are many Texans here with kids, so it should be a site to see!

If I take responsibility for my learning, I will...

That was the question posed to us this morning. Something God has been teaching me this year through people in my life, my job, and family is this...

God is more interested in me glorifying and loving Him, than me "doing" something for Him. With such busy lives, it is easy to get lost in the rush of it all. And somewhere, in the back of your mind, you know that there is more to it than this. But once we start flying around like little hummingbirds, we forget what it was like to soar on the wings of an eagle. We allow life to take over, and so easily lose perspective or we just get another perspective. But am I hungry? Am I thirsty for more of God? When it comes down to it, I have to take responsibility for my actions, or busyness, and set my priorities once again. Oh wouldn't it be nice if we only had to do it once! It doesn't matter if I'm a school teacher, or a wife, or a daughter...my only desire is for more of God, knowing that everything else will fall into place. All my dreams and hopes for the future are nothing in comparison to being in my Father's arms.

So, if I take responsibility for my learning, I will devote more time to being still before an Almighty God. Knowing, that it will be only by His grace that this will happen. For in my weakness, He is strong! What would you fill in the blank?

The Journey Begins...

Well, the journey has already begun, but it's about to take us from what we know and are familiar with. In about 1 hour, we will begin our drive towards Colorado Springs. I can't believe I am actually saying that!
We started the process with HCJB in October of 2006, man how time flies! There are so many emotions running through our minds and hearts, but mostly excitement. This will be our first road trip with just Larry, Callie-our dog, and I. After packing the car, we just kind of stood there wondering how we have so much stuff! I mean, we're only there for 5 weeks, but it looks like we're going off to college again or something!
We hope to be in Colorado Springs tomorrow night, and then I will update a little more often to share what's going on. Okay Lord, we are ready, let's do this!
Yeahhhhhhh Whoooooooooooo!

My Last Day at School

I wondered how I would tell my kids at school that it would be my last week with them. I wondered how it would be the last day when I had to say goodbye. I wondered, and I prayed, and God gave me the strength, and the words, and the peace to make it through.

I could not have asked for a better week. I wasn't sure how I would do it without crying! But when it came down to it, I was amazed at how well it all went (thank you prayer warriors!) Of course we are excited about the next step, but I always get attached easily. I've heard their stories, and it was hard to say goodbye to such a great group of kids. And although I only knew them for a short while, I will always remember the love they showed me on Friday.

I'm very thankful that God provided a new teacher in my place, one that loves Him, one that I know will love those kids. As I was praying this summer for her, she was also praying for a job in teaching. I could not have asked for more. I sit amazed once again at the work of an almighty God. A God that has a plan far better than we could have ever imagined for ourselves. A plan to prosper us, not to harm us. A plan to give us a hope and a future. Jeremiah 3:5-6